Interaction of audio, video, effects and architectural lighting with bowling scoring system and methods of use

ABSTRACT

An interactive bowling system using scoring systems and/or other computer infrastructures which interact with visual and/or audio effects within the bowling center. The system includes a management system having stored therein instructions to provide special effects associated with one or more events to one or more special effects components. Upon an occurrence of an event, the management system: determines that the occurrence of the event is associated with one or more special effects; and provides the instructions to the one or more special effects components to effectuate the special effects associated with the one or more events.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This applications claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/981,978, filed Apr. 21, 2014, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to bowling systems and, moreparticularly, to interactive bowling systems using scoring systemsand/or other computer infrastructures which interact with visual and/oraudio effects within the bowling center.

BACKGROUND

Bowling is a very popular sport for both recreational bowlers and leaguebowlers. For recreational bowlers, bowling is a leisure activity whichcan be played at most any time of the day and throughout the year,regardless of weather. The game of bowling has also become very popularfor families as well as adults of all ages.

Bowling has many different games including, for example, ten-pin,nine-pin, candlepin, duckpin, five-pin bowling and mini-bowling. Today,the sport of bowling is enjoyed throughout the world.

SUMMARY

In an aspect of the invention, a system comprises a management systemhaving stored therein instructions to provide special effects associatedwith one or more events to one or more special effects components. Uponan occurrence of an event, the management system: determines that theoccurrence of the event is associated with one or more special effects;and provides the instructions to the one or more special effectscomponents to effectuate the special effects associated with the one ormore events.

In another aspect of the invention, a system comprises one or morespecial effects components configured to provide special effects inresponse to an occurrence of one or more events that occurred in abowling center. The system further comprises a management systemprogrammed to: store one or more predefined events and associatedspecial effects in a storage device; upon an occurrence of a detectedevent, make a determination that the detected event is one of thepredefined events; and when it is determined that the detected event isone of the predefined events, provide instructions to the one or morespecial effects components to perform at least one of the predefinedspecial effects associate with the detected event.

In an additional aspect of the invention, a method comprises: detectingan event at a bowling center; associating the event with specialeffects; and providing instructions to one or more special effectscomponents in the bowling center to perform the special effectsassociated with the event.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is described in the detailed description whichfollows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way ofnon-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a representative bowling center according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a representative bowling scoring and management system forimplementing aspects of the present invention according to anembodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a representative system infrastructure according to anembodiment.

FIG. 4 shows another representative bowling center according to anembodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a sample process for providing one or more special effectsin response to a bowling event according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, devices andmethods described, as these may vary. The terminology used in thedescription is for the purpose of describing the particular versions orembodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope.

As used in this document, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art. As used in this document, the term “comprising” means“including, but not limited to.”

The present disclosure relates to bowling systems and, moreparticularly, to interactive bowling systems comprising scoring systemsand/or other computer infrastructures of the bowling center whichinteracts with and/or manages special effects within the bowling center.This includes using the bowling scoring system to interact with themanagement and/or automation system to control and manage the audio,video, effects and architectural lighting, HVAC system, security system,security camera system, life safety system, video camera system andprovide complete building management.

In one or more embodiments, the interactive bowling systems can betriggered by, for example, bowling events. As used herein, bowlingevents refer to, for example, a strike or a sequence of strikes, gutterballs, a high score (e.g., a perfect score), a score over a particularvalue (e.g., a score over 200), and other triggering events occurring onany lane or combination of lanes or within, generally, the bowlingcenter. Advantageously, the events can be triggered automatically using,for example, an existing scoring system (scoring console) or otherdetection systems which include, but are not limited to, cameras,proximity, pressure and motion sensors, with connections to and managedby a central management system.

As used herein, special effects refer to, for example, any entertainmentrelated effect that enhances the bowling game experience. These specialeffects can include, but are not limited to, video projection, flatpanel video displays, LED video displays, multi-colored lighting,ultra-violet lighting, laser effects, audio effects, and/orfog/haze/CO2/snow/bubble/confetti effects, which may or may not containcameras or sensors for interactivity with the bowler and/or the bowlingball. It should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art thatthese special effects noted herein are merely illustrative examples, andthat other effects, whether they are visual, audio or tactile, arecontemplated by the present disclosure.

In embodiments, the present disclosure contemplates interacting specialeffects with a bowling scoring and management system and special effectscontrol. In this way, the bowling scoring and/or management and specialeffects control systems of a bowling center can control and/or managethe special effects to be delivered within the bowling center. Thisprovides an interactive experience having some meaningful environmentalinteraction based on information available to a bowling scoring system,management system and special effects control. This information can be,illustratively, detection of a person or bowling ball at a certainlocation within the bowling center (e.g., crossing over a foul line),scoring events such as a strike, a gutter ball, speed and tracking of abowling ball, and other similar information.

Thus, the present disclosure relates to an interactive system includingspecial effects used in bowling centers, managed by a bowling scoringand/or management system and/or special effects control. This allows thespecial effects content to respond to the scoring games and eventsoccurring on the bowling lane and that are known and managed usually bythe scoring system, management system and special effects controls andwithin the bowling center. The result is that the bowling scoring,management system and special effects control can drive and also affectthe special effects content (either with or without a camera/detectiondevice for interactivity with the bowler and/or bowling ball).

Referring to FIG. 1, in a sample embodiment, the control system canutilize a video projection system 10 to display special effects,video/still content or video/still images recorded in the bowling centeronto bowling center surfaces and/or video displays. Bowling centersurfaces can be, for example, floors 15, walls 25, ceilings 25, maskingunits 20, bowling pins 45, bowling lanes 55, and bowler approaches 35 inthe bowling center, amongst other surfaces. It should be understood bythose of ordinary skill in the art, though, that these bowling centersurfaces are merely illustrative examples, and that projecting specialeffects on any surface within the bowling center are contemplated by thepresent disclosure, including, for example, any surface of any systemthat is used in the bowling center.

More specifically, in one or more embodiments, the special effects caninclude a video projector system 10 which includes, for example, one ormore video projector units and/or automated video projection unitsconfigured to project video content onto a masking unit 20 at the end ofthe bowling lanes that is suitable to receive this content, with eitherfront or rear projection systems, as well as projecting content onto thebowling lane 55 or approach area 35 or bowling pins 45, or any othersurface or combination or surfaces in the bowling center 25 to add videocontent and/or effect to the bowling center environment. In one or moreembodiments, the special effects may include a video projection system10 that incorporates a camera or other detection device (see, e.g., FIG.4 as described below) to identify people and/or objects that cross ontothe video projection surface area, camera and/or sensor equipped areasand/or other locations within the bowling center. Such a detectiondevice can enable the systems of the present disclosure, e.g., bowlingscoring, management system and special effects control 100, to react andchange the image, video content (or other special effect) beingdisplayed by the video projection system 10 according to the motion ofthe person or object/objects in the video projection display area, orother similar events that may occur during bowling that can be observedby the detection devices.

In additional embodiments, the present disclosure may implement the useof multi-color lighting fixtures 30, e.g., LED lighting, automated lightfixtures above the bowling lanes in which the multicolor lightingfixtures (e.g., LED lighting fixtures) project lighting effects onto thebowling lane surface 55, wall surface 25, masking unit 20, bowling pins45, approach area 35 (or any other surfaces or lighting effects),changing the color appearance of the lane surface (or other surface ofthe bowling center or lighting effects) and creating a visual effect onthe bowling lanes (or other surface of the bowling center or lightingeffects), each of which can be controlled by a scoring system and/orcentralized management system. The special effects can also includesound/audio systems 75 and other effects such asfog/haze/CO2/snow/bubble/confetti machines, rotating, moving, automatedeffects lights, lasers, architectural lighting, mirrored effects, etc.,all of which are represented by reference numbers 10 and 30 as shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 1, for example, also discloses linking of audio 75, architecturallighting 85, security camera system 90, HVAC system 95, video camerasystems 40, security system 50, and life safety system 60 to managementsystem 100. The interconnection of the scoring and management systemsprovides one central control system for controlling all, or nearly all,operational aspects of the bowling center into one, central controlsystem.

As shown in FIG. 2, in embodiments, the bowling center includes abowling scoring, management system and special effects control 100. Thebowling scoring, management system and special effects control 100comprises, for example, various features including a lane scorecomputer, a centralized management system and special effect control, aredemption system, and representative computer infrastructure. These,and additional features, are discussed in greater detail in thefollowing discussion.

Lane Score Computer

The lane-score-computer (also referred to as the scoring system) 200 isa computerized system that manages games on a lane, or a multiple lanes,as should be known to those of skill in the art. The scoring system 200is discussed in more detail with reference to FIG. 3. In embodiments,the example described herein assumes one pair of lanes; although otherconfigurations are also contemplated by the present invention. Inembodiments, the scoring system 200 includes a main CPU 205 that isconnected to:

-   -   I. A local monitor 210 (typically overhead display monitor above        the lane). This monitor 210 can display bowling information        including, for example, bowling scores and other bowling related        information including messages, etc., to the bowler;    -   II. I/O devices 215 to interface with the pinspotting machines;    -   III. I/O devices 220 to collect information regarding when a        ball is thrown, how many pins have fallen, if a foul has been        detected, and other information available on the lane about the        ball that was bowled; and    -   IV. I/O console device 225 configured to allow the scoring        system to interact locally on the lane with the bowlers.

In embodiments, the I/O console device 225 includes, for example, akeypad (e.g., a touch screen or other similar input device) configuredto receive inputs from a bowler or other user. For example, the bowlercan enter the names of each bowler, as well as other pertinentinformation. In embodiments, the I/O console device 225 can also allowthe bowler or other user to enter triggering events and associatedspecial effects, in order to trigger the programmed special effects. Forexample, the bowler can enter a command via the I/O console device 225indicating that the lights are to flash when, for example, a bowler hasa strike or a gutter ball, the bowler passes over the foul line, or anycombination of actions that can occur, as further described herein.

Centralized Management System and Special Effect Control

The centralized management system and special effects control 300 is acomputerized system including one or more computers located at, forexample, the counters and back office and/or the electrical and HVACstorage areas of the bowling center. The centralized management systemand special effects control 300 is discussed in greater detail belowwith reference to FIG. 3.

In embodiments, for example, the centralized management system, specialeffects control 300 and scoring systems 200 communicate with each other.The centralized management system 300 can allow the manager/employees ofthe bowling center to manage the customers (bowlers) from check-in tocheck-out. One of the many functions performed by the management system300 is to send the necessary information to set up the scoring system200, which then takes care of the game being bowled on the lane. At theend of the game, the centralized management system 300 can collects thenecessary information from the scoring system 200 in order to manage thegame scores, rankings, payments, and other information related to thecompleted game. In addition, the central management and special effectscontrol 100 provide the control and interface with the effects lightingsystems 30, architectural lighting system 85, audio system 75, videosystem 10, security camera system 90, security system 50, life safetysystem 60, video camera system 40 and HVAC system 95.

Alternatively or additionally, the centralized management system 300 mayoperate in concert with an automation system configured to connectvarious aspects of the bowling system. For example, the automationsystem can provide an overall control for operating and managing allother systems within the bowling center, including receiving commandsfrom the bowling system and various tracking/monitoring devices andexecuting preset responses. However, for discussion purposes, thefunctionality of the automation system will be described in relation tothe management system 300 as discussed herein.

In one or more embodiments, the centralized management system 300 cancontrol/manage any of the features of the present invention as describedwith regard to FIGS. 2 and 3. More specifically, a user can enter anycombination of triggering events and associated special effects into thecentralized management system 300 via the scoring system 200 asdescribed above. Upon the occurrence of the triggering event(s), thecentralized management system 300 can then instruct the video 10,lighting 30, video camera system 40 and audio 75 systems, for example,to provide the programmed special effects. Central management system 300also provides the user interface for the security camera system 90,security system 50, life safety system 60, architectural lighting system85 and HVAC system 95.

In additional embodiments, the triggering event can be provided by abowler, for example, by inputting a desired triggering event orcombination of triggering events into the scoring system 200. The bowlercan also enter a desired special effect from a list of preprogrammedspecial effects. The scoring system 200 will, in turn, provide theprogrammed triggering events to the centralized management system 300.Upon the occurrence of the triggering event, which may be determinedand/or monitored by the scoring system 200, or special effect control300 e.g., a strike on a specific lane, the scoring system 200 willnotify the centralized management system 300 of such triggering event,in which scenario, the centralized management system 300 will instructthe video system 10, lighting 30, audio 75, video camera system 40 forexample, to provide the associated programmed special effects.

In additional embodiments, the central management systems provides thecontrol interface for the HVAC system 95, security camera system 90 andarchitectural lighting 85, security system 50 and life safety system 60.

Redemption System

Integrated with the centralized management system and special effectscontrol 300 and/or the scoring system 200 is a redemption device 500.The redemption device can deliver virtual tickets and/or tokens asimages projected onto the lane surface 55, approach area 35, maskingunit 20 or bowling pins 45 in any combination of the surfaces or areas.This includes virtual “colored pin” for games and redemption purposeswith programmed interaction by the scoring system 200.

Representative Computer Infrastructure

FIG. 3 shows a representative computer infrastructure, which can berepresentative of a bowling scoring and/or management system and/orspecial effects control of the present disclosure. Illustratively, thecomputer infrastructure can be representative of either the scoringsystem 200 or centralized management system and special effects control300.

To this extent, the computer infrastructure can include a server, mediaplayer or other computing system 12 that can perform the processesdescribed herein. In particular, the server 12 can include, or beoperably connected to, a computing device 14. The server 12 and/orcomputing device 14 can communicate over any communication link such asan intranet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) suchas the Internet, serial, Ethernet or a digital multiplexed network (DMX)contact closure, ASCII, HEX, infrared, and other common communicationprotocols and techniques. For example, the scoring system 200 cancommunicate with the centralized management system 300 using anintranet, LAN, WAN, Internet, or other similar connection. The computingdevice 14 can be resident on a network infrastructure or computingdevice of a third party service provider provided and stored at a remotelocation.

The computing device 14 can also include a processor 20, memory 22A, anI/O interface 24, and a bus 26 for operably connecting the variouscomponents within the computing device. In addition, the computingdevice includes random access memory (RAM) 27A, a read-only memory (ROM)27B, and an operating system (O/S) stored within memory such as memory22A. The computing device 14 can be in communication with the externalI/O device/resource 28 and the storage system 22B. The I/O device 28 caninclude any device that enables an individual to interact with thecomputing device 14 (e.g., user interface) or any device that enablesthe computing device 14 to communicate with one or more other computingdevices using any type of communications link. The external I/Odevice/resource 28 may be for example, a handheld device, PDA, handset,keyboard, touch panel, smart phone, tablet computer, etc.

In general, the processor 20 executes computer program code (e.g.,program control 44), which can be stored in the memory 22A and/orstorage system 22B. The program control 44 provides the processesdescribed herein. The program control 44 can be implemented as one ormore program codes stored in memory 22A as separate or combined modules.Additionally, the program control 44 may be implemented as separatededicated processors or a single or several processors to provide thefunction of these tools. While executing the computer program code, theprocessor 20 can read and/or write data to/from memory 22A, storagesystem 22B, and/or I/O interface 24. The bus 26 provides acommunications link between each of the components in the computingdevice 14.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the techniques andprocesses as described herein may be embodied as a system, method orcomputer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosuremay take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirelysoftware-based embodiment (including firmware, resident software,micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardwareaspects.

Furthermore, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon. Anycombination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized.The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium ora computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage mediummay be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic,optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus,or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specificexamples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage mediumwould include the following: an electrical connection having one or morewires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory(RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compactdisc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magneticstorage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In thecontext of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be anytangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or inconnection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the scoring systemand/or a management system manages special effects content based on acertain triggering event. More specifically, in one or more embodiments,the special effects devices (e.g., video system 10 of FIG. 1) can beprovided near the lanes or in other sections of the bowling center. Thespecial effects devices can be managed directly by the centralizedmanagement system 300 through direct commands sent on a standard orproprietary protocol (e.g., serial communication, Ethernet, DMX). Theycan also be managed by a dedicated service separated from thecentralized management system 300, intended, for example, as a dedicatedserver machine, running a specific software which receives inputs fromthe centralized management system 300 and translates these inputs intocommands for each special effect device connected to it, also in thiscase using a defined communication protocol running for example on astandard network connection, or using proprietary protocols such asserial, Ethernet or DMX contact closure, ASCII, HEX, infrared and othersimilar protocols.

According to aspects of the present invention, management system managesHVAC system 95, security system 50, life safety system 60, securitycamera system 90 and architectural lighting 85 content based on an inputfrom the bowling center manager/user/operator from the user interface(e.g., a touch panel interface) or by scheduled or programmed events.More specifically, in embodiments, the HVAC system 95, security system50, life safety system 60, security camera system 90 and architecturallighting 85 of FIG. 1 can be provided throughout the bowling center. Allof these systems can be managed directly by the centralized managementsystem 300 through direct commands sent on a standard or proprietaryprotocol (serial communication, Ethernet, DMX, contact closure, ASCII,HEX, infrared). They can also be managed by a dedicated serviceseparated from the centralized management system 300, intended forexample as a dedicated server machine, running a specific software whichreceives inputs from the centralized management system 300 andtranslates these inputs into commands for each specific system connectedto it, also in this case using a defined communication protocol runningfor example on a standard network connection, or using proprietaryprotocols such as serial, Ethernet, infrared, ASCII, HEX, contactclosure or DMX or other similar protocol.

The centralized management system 300 can be an independent centralizedcomputerized system able to know the specific “modality” of the bowlingcenter at every moment. For example, the centralized management system300 may always “know” the state of each lane such as open/close, howmany bowlers are playing, which kind of game they are playing, if thereare children using bumpers, if the lane is in open play or in Leaguemode, and so on. The state of each lane can be set up manually by thefront desk operator, manually by the bowlers on the lane through thebowler consoles of the scoring system 200, or automatically through abowling modes feature.

The central management system can also know the “modality” of many otherareas of the bowling center. These areas include and are not limited tothe state of the HVAC system 95 with the ability to monitor and changethe temperature in every HVAC zone/room by operating the thermostats bythe central control system 300. In one or more embodiment, the centralmanagement system can also: control the audio system 75 with volumelevel and source in all zones; operate, view and monitor the securitycamera system 90; manage and operate the architectural lighting system85 with power and dimming controls for the entire interior and exteriorof the building and parking lot; monitor and operate the entire videosystem 10 with all video input sources, DVD players, media players,digital signage players and all video output displays; control andoperate the effects lighting system 30 and all of the special effectsdevices. (including, for example, all fog/haze/CO2/snow/bubble/confettimachines, rotating, moving, automated effects lights, lasers,architectural lighting, mirrored effects, and other similar specialeffects); control and operate the video camera system 40; control andmanage the security system 50; and control and manage the state of thelife safety system 60 in connection with the state of the fire detectionsystem. The state of each system in the bowling center can be set upmanually either on-site or remotely or by scheduled events by the frontdesk operator, manager, bowling proprietor through the management system300, or remote device bowler handheld device, PDA, handset, keyboard,touch panel, smart phone, tablet computer, or other similar computingdevice.

In one or more embodiments, “bowling modes” refers to a feature of thecentralized management system 300 that allows a user to define andprogram on a predefined schedule a set of parameters related to eachlane's status, such as the type of game (open play, league, tournament),status of optional accessories (bumpers, glow-in-the-dark lighting),availability of specific games, background grids or video animations onthe lanes. This provides for a complete and automated customization ofthe bowling environment throughout the center and throughout the day,week, month or year. As an example, the bowling center can be set toautomatically switch to glow-in-the-dark lighting, go to a specificvolume level, switch any or all TV channels, run programmed advertisingspecials, dim architectural lighting levels, adjust thermostatheating/cooling levels at a certain time on certain days of the week,month or year e.g., every Friday starting from 10 PM or every Wednesdayat 4 PM certain lanes are set for open play with children which are setto display only animations and games targeted to children withchildren's music. All of this control can be zone, area or roomspecific, or can be set to include the entire facility. This alsoincludes management of the entire building with scheduled events foropening and closing procedures with control of architectural lighting85, lighting 30, video system 10, HVAC system 95, audio 75, video camerasystem 40, security 50 and life safety 60 systems.

The scoring system 200, on the other hand, refers to the equipmentrelated to the lanes, including a scoring CPU, a bowler console forinteraction with bowlers, and monitor where scoring information isdisplayed (or other video content managed by the scoring system 100), aninterface with the pinspotter equipment and a device for detecting thepin count and the speed of the ball. The scoring system 200 isresponsible for storing a set of data related to the bowler (name,handicap, left-right handed) and for detecting and processing allgame-related events on the lane (e.g., each bowler's scoring, how manyframes have been played, etc.). In one or more embodiments, the scoringsystem 200 can be connected and integrated with the centralizedmanagement system 300, in such a way that data is continuously exchangedbetween these components. As an example, the centralized managementsystem 300 can instruct the scoring system 200 by sending informationrelated to what kind of games can be played or what the bowlers' namesare, and the scoring system sends to the centralized management system300 information related to the events happening on the lanes, such asthe scoring of each bowler, how many strikes are done by a bowler or ona lane, and other similar information. These events can then be used totrigger a special effect or multiple effects.

In embodiments, the centralized management system 300 can use the inputscoming from the scoring system 200 to trigger the command for specificspecial effects, directly after a specific event happens (e.g., everytime anyone in the center scores a strike, a flashing word “Strike!” isprojected on the masking units, and/or a predefined light pattern isprojected on the lanes by ceiling-mounted RGB LED lights or LED lanecapping lights and architectural lighting change color and/or pattern orspecific video/still images are displayed on bowling pins or anycombination of special effects). To extend this feature, the presentinvention can be combined with the bowling modes to set a number ofpredefined commands that the centralized management system 300 can sendto any of the special effects devices according to the state of thelanes and the events happening on each lane, sent in real time from thescoring system 200 or special effects controls 300.

In embodiments, the interaction between the centralized managementsystem 300 and specific ongoing “events” determines the special effectsas multi-colored lighting, laser effects, audio effects, fog, ad othersimilar special effects. Events may include the following examples,amongst others as described throughout the present disclosure.

Individual game events or a combination of events happening on one ormore lanes, e.g., one strike, a series of strikes, a certain score, andother similar events may trigger a special effect. In this example, thescoring system 200 can detect these events and send this information tothe centralized management system 300 that, after cross referencing theinput with the “modality” of the center in that moment if bowling modesis active, generates some specific special effects (lighting, sound orvideo in any/all combination).

The system administrator (center proprietor, manager, or reception/frontdesk operator) can send some specific inputs to the centralizedmanagement system 300 through any terminal belonging to the centralizedmanagement system 300 (such as front desk reception terminals). In thisexample, the system administrator can communicate that all the customerson a specific lane are children. At this point, the centralizedmanagement system 300, using this specific data, will know exactly whichspecific special effects to generate based upon this information. Theseeffects can be for a specific or combination of lanes. By way ofexample, if there are three strikes on three different lanes, thecentralized management system 300 can trigger a fog effect on the lanesor a special lighting effect on the whole center.

The game players (bowlers) can send specific input directly to thescoring system 200 through the lane bowler console in order to provide atriggering event and special effect. For example, a player can choosethat a certain color is projected on the lane after an occurrence of anevent. In this example, the scoring system 200 will send this input tothe centralized management system 300 that, cross referencing thisinformation with the specific “modality” of the center in that moment,if active, will send a command to a projector, light fixture or specialeffect mounted on the lane to project a chosen video, still image, orcolor on the lane.

Accordingly, in one or more embodiments, the centralized managementsystem 300, in addition to being the system that generates the“modality” of the bowling center, can also be the “collector” of allinputs that are obtained by the scoring system 200, tracking cameras415, proximity sensors 100, pressure sensors 95, by the systemadministrator and/or by game players (again through the scoring system).Once collected, and depending on the specific combination, thecentralized management system 300 can determine which specific specialeffects to generate on one lane, multiple lanes, at other locationswithin the bowling center and any combination thereof.

The central management system 300 and scoring system 200 can includeadditional input or triggers from the security system 50 and the lifesafety system 60. For example, the security system monitors activitywithin the bowling center. If the center is burglarized after normaloperating hours, the security system detects the intrusion then contactsthe authorities/police, owners and management. The central managementsystem 300 can send signals to raise all of the architectural lightinglevels in the architectural lighting system 85 and switch video camerasystem 40 on to record and capture additional video footage of theintrusion. The life safety system can be triggered by a fire alarm whichthen communicates with the central management system 300. The centralmanagement system can then mute the audio system 75, raise allarchitectural lighting 85 levels, shut off the effects lighting 30,video projection system 10, and trigger the scoring system 200 shut downthe bowling equipment. Any additional equipment and or games in thearcade or other areas can also be shut down. Additional life safetysystems can include panic stations 105 located in any part of theestablishment and/or on the management system 300 user interfaces tonotify authorities of trouble/burglaries/Adam alerts etc. When an eventlike these happen, all of the central management system 300 userinterfaces (touch panels/controls) would provide details of the event.These events would have to be cleared before the normal operation of theestablishment could proceed.

Representative Bowling Center

FIG. 4 shows another representative bowling center in accordance withaspects of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 4 showsseveral components and interactions amongst the components in thebowling center. For example, FIG. 4 shows a front desk 400, back office410, electrical room 435, either of which may store any combination ofthe components of the centralized management system 300. For example, inembodiments, the monitor and input devices of the centralized managementsystem 300 may reside at the front desk 400; whereas, the servers forthe centralized management system 300 may reside in the back office 410,the dimming and relay controls and additional lighting controls for thecentralized management system 300 may reside in the electrical room 435,HVAC temperature sensors would reside in each zone or room of thebowling center (FIG. 4). HVAC thermostats general will reside in theelectrical room 435.

Further, in the bowling center representation of FIG. 4, the scoringsystem 200 is shown to be paired with two lanes each, 200 a, 200 b. Asshown, the scoring system 200 includes an input component, e.g., keypador touch panel 200 c, and a monitor 200 d. Additionally, the inputcomponents can include an image capture device such as a camera forcapturing an image of a bowler for inclusion and display by the scoringsystem 200 as well as, for example, posting to a website such as asocial media web page related to the bowling center or the bowlerthemselves. Similarly, the input component can include a biometricreader, either as a separate component or, for example, integrated intoa touch panel, to recall previously stored information related to abowler such as demographic and personal information, previousperformance statistics, preferred system settings, and other similarinformation.

FIG. 4 further shows the projection system 10, which can compriselighting and other special effects as described herein. A trackingcamera (system) 415 includes infrared lighting 425 is also provided, forexample, overhead of the bowling lanes 200 a, 200 b. The tracking camera(system) 415 can be positioned at other locations of the bowling centerand preferably has an overview of the bowling center, including thelanes 200 a, 200 b, the approach area 65 and foul line 65 a, and otherrelated areas. In one or more embodiments, the tracking camera system415 can be a laser or other motion detection system that is positionedat the foul line 65 a, to determine whether a bowler has stepped overthe foul line during a bowling event or as trigger for any or all of thespecial effects.

In additional embodiments, the tracking system 415 can track movement ofobjects, e.g., bowling pins, bowling balls, as well as bowlers and othersimilar objects, and provide such information to the centralizedmanagement system 300. Also, pressure sensors 95 can detect bowlers andtheir location in the bowling center and provide this information to thecentralized management system 300. Proximity sensors 100 can be used totrack the location and speed of rolled bowling balls on lanes 200 a and200 b. This information can also be sent to the centralized managementsystem 300. The centralized management system 300 can use thisinformation to determine if such event is a triggering event for aspecial effect, and, if so, then instruct the special effectscomponent(s) to provide the associated special effects, e.g., lighting,fog, or other interactions. By way of example, the tracking camera(system) 415 and/or pressure sensors 95 can determine that a person isin the approach area 65 and, if another person on the adjacent lane isbowling, instruct the special effects component, e.g., projector, toproject an image or word(s) on the approach requesting that the bowlerwait unit the other bowler in the adjacent lane has released the bowlingball. The tracking camera system 415 and infrared lighting 425 can tracka rolled bowling ball, communicate with the central management systemand instruct the video system 10 to project video on and/or aroundrolled bowling ball down the lanes 200 a and 200 b. Proximity sensors100 tracking the rolled bowling ball down the lane can instruct thecentral management system have the LED lane lights follow the ball downthe lanes 200 a and 200 b. The pit area 70 can include special effectequipment such as pit lighting 420 e.g. LED, fluorescent, ultra-violetand or pin video projections 85 under the masking unit or pin deck 35for additional tracking effects/visual effects/animations.

A plurality of overhead monitors 425 can also be provided in the bowlingcenter. In embodiments, much like the other visual effects components ofthe present invention, these overhead monitors 425 can provide visualeffects upon a triggering event, as controlled by the centralizedmanagement system 300. For example, the visual effects can be animationsor other effects.

The bowling center of FIG. 4 also includes other bowling relatedcomponents such as a ball return system 430. In embodiments, the visualand special effects can be provided on any surface of the bowlingcenter, including the ball return system 430.

As shown in FIG. 4, the various components included within the bowlingcenter may be operably connected via wired and/or wireless connections.For example, the scoring system 200 may have a wired connection to thecentralized management system 300. However, one or more of the specialeffect components (such as the pit lighting 420) or one or more of themonitoring components (such as the tracking camera system 415) may beoperably connected to the centralized management system 300 via awireless connection.

Sample Process for Providing an Interactive Experience

FIG. 5 illustrates a sample process for using the techniques asdescribed herein to provide an interactive bowling experience accordingto one or more embodiments. The centralized management system isinitialized 502. As described above, an employee at the bowling centermay start the initialization process by turning on or activating one ormore lanes, as well as assigning the type of game to be played (e.g.,open play or league play). The initialization process may be continuedby one or more persons playing at the lane by entering their personalinformation into a lane score computing input device at the lane itself.For example, the user may enter their name (as well as the names of theother players), the players ages, whether any player requires specialassistance (such as bumpers), and other related information.Additionally, as taught herein, the player can select one or moreoptions for special effects to be presented during play. For example,the player can opt to turn off all special effects, select to have allspecial effects turned on, or select a specific combination of specialeffects to have presented during play.

Following initialization, the centralized management system may monitor504 events occurring at that specific lane or lanes for any events tooccur that are programmed to trigger a special effect. If thecentralized management system determines 506 that no event has occurred(or no event has occurred that is programmed to trigger a specialeffect), the system can continue to monitor 504. However, if thecentralized management system does determine 506 that an event hasoccurred, the system can further determine 508 which associated specialeffect is associated with that event. For example, if the event is astrike, the system may determine 308 that the lights at that lane are toflash, a sound effect is to be played, and a related image (e.g., an“X”) is to be displayed on the monitor. Additionally, or optionally, thesystem may determine 310 a specific location for the special effect tooccur. For example, for a common event such as a strike, the system maydetermine 510 that the special effect is to be displayed only at thelane where the event occurred. However, for an event that rarely occurs(such as a perfect game), the system may determine 510 that the specialeffect should be displayed throughout the entire bowling center.

After determining 508 what special effect to present, as well asdetermining 510 where to present the special effect, the special effectis presented 512. As described above, the special effect may include oneor more of video projections, flat panel video displays, LED videodisplays, multi-colored lighting, ultra-violet lighting, laser effects,audio effects, and/or fog/haze/CO2/snow/bubble/confetti effects andother similar special effects.

It should be noted that the process as shown in FIG. 5, and describedabove, is directed toward a single set of players at a particularbowling lane by way of example only. The techniques as described hereinare to be understood as applicable to all aspects of the bowling center,as described above in greater detail. As such, the centralizedmanagement system is configured to monitor and respond to any and(potentially) all events that occur within the bowling center.

Additional Examples and Embodiments of the Invention

Referring again to FIGS. 1-4, in operation, a video signal can bedelivered to the video projector system 10 such as a movie, TV channel,media server/player, internet device (Apple TV/Roku, etc. . . . ), PC,game console, DVD player, Blu-Ray player, camera system, smart phone,tablet PC, digital signage player or device, scoring system 200 with anyof these video sources can be processed by computerized special effectsequipment and instructed by the centralized management system 300. Thevideo source can be managed by a computerized special effects equipmentsystem and the centralized management system 300 so that each videoprojector or multiple projectors can display video and/or other effectsin accordance with aspects of the present invention.

For example, each video projector can display a different portion of theoriginal video signal so that the combination of the video projectorsgenerates a bigger picture. This is referred to as a matrix video wall(i.e., a 3×3 display matrix can display a single video into an area 9times larger than the single projector). This can be done by hard orsoft edge blending of the video projectors. Inside a bowling center thistechnique can be used on the video mask to display a single and verylarge picture, video or any of the above video sources across all lanesin the bowling center, or an advertising banner moving/scrolling acrossall lanes in a bowling center (for example from lanes 1 to lane 30). Atypical matrix video wall on a masking unit would be a 1×15 wall for theexample 30 lanes. Any combination and sizes of matrix video walls arepossible. Alternatively, one or more video screens may be used toprovide a video wall for the making unit. For example, a 3×3 matrix offlat panel displays may be used to create a video wall in addition to oras an alternative to the video projectors as described above.

Further, in operation, the video projection system 10 can be an array ofvideo projectors interspersed throughout the bowling center, e.g., overthe bowling lanes in FIG. 4. This array of video projectors can use acamera device (or other detection device) (e.g., tracking camera 415) toidentify people and objects that cross onto the video projection surfacearea and enable the system to react and change the image being displayedby the projectors according to the motion of the person orobject/objects in the video projection display area. In embodiments, thearray of video projectors is managed by the centralized managementsystem 300. Many kinds of lighting fixtures can also be controlled bythe centralized management system 300 to create lighting effects and“mood” within the bowling center. These lighting fixtures can bemulti-color lighting fixtures, e.g., LED lighting, above the bowlinglanes 55, approach area 65, pin deck 420, masking unit 45, architecturallighting 85, wall or any surface 25 in which the multi-color lightingfixtures, e.g., LED lighting, project lighting effects onto the lanesurface 200 a and 200 b, approach 35, pins 45, masking unit 55,architectural lighting 85, wall or any surface 25 in the bowling centerchanging the color appearance of the surface and creating a nice visualeffect on the surface in the bowling center, any of which are managed bythe centralized management system 300.

Accordingly, in one or more embodiments, the present disclosure providesinteraction of the projection and lighting effect systems used inbowling centers with the bowling scoring and management system 100 toallow the video content, audio and lighting content delivered by thesesystems to respond to many different events, including scoring games andevents occurring on the bowling lane (and that are known and managed bythe scoring system 200, tracking system 415, proximity sensors 100,pressure sensors 95). The result is that the bowling scoring andmanagement system 100 can drive and also affect the video contentdelivered by the video projector system 10 (either with or without acamera/sensor/detection device for interactivity with the bowler and/orbowling ball) and/or video camera 40, architectural lighting 85, audio75, lighting 30 systems in the bowling center.

This integration and interaction can be achieved in many different waysbecause video, audio and lighting systems can be provided withcomputerized control and standardized interfaces (i.e., the computerizedsystem controlling the video projector is a computer and thus thecomputer software running on it can get input by the bowling scoringsystem through Ethernet). For example, the effects lighting controlsystem may be a DMX controller that can be set up to interact with thebowling scoring and management system through a serial, infrared, ASCII,Hex, contact closure or Ethernet connection.

Examples of the interaction that are achieved by linking these devicesto the bowling scoring and management systems include, amongst othersand in no particular order of importance, the following features.

-   -   I. Extend any graphic, environment, or scoring data available        within the bowling and scoring management system 100 to the        bowling lane, approach and masking unit or other surfaces.    -   II. Allow bowlers to use the scoring consoles or a mobile device        to choose content to be projected onto the bowling lane,        approach, and masking unit or other surfaces. For example, there        can be games within the scoring system that allow users to        choose images or animations and project them on the lane surface        (i.e. the bowling lane can look like grass, ice, a road, plasma,        a night sky with stars, etc.).    -   III. Allow bowlers to create their own content through the        scoring consoles or a mobile device and project it onto the lane        (e.g., by using different patterns, brushes and stamps, etc.        available kids can create their own picture on the lane, as if        they were painting the lane).    -   IV. Project a welcome screen (or any type of digital content)        onto the approach to welcome bowlers just arriving to the lane        or other surfaces.    -   V. Any graphic, environment, or scoring data available within        the bowling and scoring management system can be sent to the        bowling lane, approach area and masking unit or other surfaces.    -   VI. Integrate with the redemption device 500 to deliver virtual        tickets and/or tokens as images projected onto the lane surface.    -   VII. Display any advertising messages and images originating        from the scoring and management system onto the bowling lane,        approach, masking unit and/or to any/all video display.    -   VIII. Project a topographic image representing the oil pattern        onto the bowling lane, approach or surface.    -   IX. Project a safety warning message or image onto the lane to        warn bowlers not to cross the foul line and respect the bowling        center rules.    -   X. Project a foul video clip animation as soon as the scoring        system detects that the foul detector unit has been tripped by        someone crossing the foul line.    -   XI. Extend any game managed by the scoring system to the bowling        center surfaces, e.g., lane surface, so the competition between        lanes can be visualized on the lane surface, through a histogram        starting from the end of the lane and growing towards the        approach area. At every ball thrown the corresponding histogram        bar grows. The first lane whose bar reaches the approach area        wins.    -   XII. Extend any game managed by the scoring system to the        bowling center surfaces, e.g., lane surface, displaying the        scene on the lane surface, all across the bowling center. (i.e.,        a train image enters on lane 1 and moves across all adjacent        lanes, going back and forth several times, getting closer to the        approach with every time. When the train stops, all doors open        and from one of the train cars a “You Won!” banner is        displayed).    -   XIII. Display scoring information directly on the lane or other        bowling center surfaces, in addition to or instead of those        shown on the monitors. For example:        -   i. Display nicknames, pictures and other data about the            bowler on the lane, approach and/or masking unit;        -   ii. Display the score made with the latest ball thrown (i.e.            “7” or “strike”) onto the lane, approach and/or masking            unit;        -   iii. Celebrate remarkable scoring achievements with specific            animations on the lane, approach and/or masking unit (i.e.            “three strikes in a row”);        -   iv. Show bowler standings and recap data on the lanes and/or            masking unit; and/or        -   v. Display an histogram on the lane, one bar per bowler with            name and current score, to show intuitively how the match is            proceeding and who's leading and following.    -   XIV. Allow bowlers to use the scoring consoles to create content        images (avatar) that will follow the ball path down the lane.    -   XV. Integrate with a sound system to create specific sounds that        react to the ball motion and/or graphical images. For example, a        gutter ball is accompanied by a sound effect.    -   XVI. Integrate a spare finder projected onto the bowling lane to        show bowlers where to throw the ball using arrows on the lane        (extension of the spare finder in the scoring system).    -   XVII. Project the ball path onto the lane to help bowlers learn        and improve their performance (e.g., use a different color for        first and second ball, colored stripes displayed at specific        positions on the lane, with the ball that has to pass in        between).    -   XVIII. Keep the history of the ball paths and project them onto        the lane to show how consistent the bowler is in their bowling        patterns. Additionally, such a feature can be used for training        purposes to improve a bowler's skills.    -   XIX. Improve safety in the bowling center by using the system to        identify everything that does not look like a bowling ball that        crosses the foul line onto the lane and warn bowlers by        projecting visual and sonic alerts and stopping the pinspotting        machine is the shape gets too close.    -   XX. Improve security and safety in the center by being able to        view, monitor and operate the security camera system 90 by the        central management system 300.    -   XXI. Improve the security and life safety by including a panic        button 105 on the central management system 300 user interfaces        or separate concealed button near interfaces to automatically        alert authorities when there are potential issues or trouble in        the bowling center.    -   XXII. Reduce the need for additional lighting, security system,        HVAC controls by integrating them into the central management        system 300.    -   XXIII. Reduce the energy consumption of the entire bowling        center by integrating and scheduling the systems on/off times.    -   XXIV. Use of LED lighting in and on equipment and surfaces with        integrated DMX/Art-Net or similar control with either wired or        wireless connections. These include, but are not limited to,        bowling balls, bowling pins, furniture, ball returns,        pinspotters/pinsetters, masking units, bowling shoes, clothing,        or other surfaces, fixtures and items within a bowling center.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a management system havingstored therein instructions to provide special effects associated withone or more events to one or more special effects components, wherein,upon an occurrence of an event, the management system: determines thatthe occurrence of the event is associated with one or more specialeffects; and provides the instructions to the one or more specialeffects components to effectuate the special effects associated with theone or more events.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or morespecial effects components provide special effects comprising at leastone of video projection, multi-colored lighting, laser effects, audioeffects, and fog/haze.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the one or morespecial effects components provide the special effects within a bowlingcenter.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the management system is acentralized management system of a bowling center that centrallycontrols bowling activities within the bowling center and is configuredto associate a detected or determined event with the one or more specialeffects.
 5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a scoring systemwhich interacts with the centralized management system.
 6. The system ofclaim 5, wherein the scoring system provides game information to thecentralized management system, which includes at least one bowling eventwhich is determined by the centralized management system to be an eventassociated with the one or more special effects.
 7. The system of claim6, wherein the scoring system is configured to permit a bowler to enterone or more programmed triggering events and associated special effects,which are provided to the centralized management system.
 8. The systemof claim 1, further comprising a detection system which interacts withthe management system.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the detectionsystem is configured to detect movement of an object or a person, andprovide detected movement to the management system, which associates thedetected movement with the one or more events.
 10. The system of claim1, wherein the management system instructs the one or more specialeffects components to change special effects due to motion of a bowlingball or bowler.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or morespecial effects components is a sound system which is integrated withthe management system to create specific sounds in response to ballmotion, bowler motion, or scoring events on a bowling lane.
 12. Thesystem of claim 1 is integrated to a network advertising server andsystem and is configured to display advertising messages and videos ontothe bowling lane, approach, wall, or masking unit.
 13. A system,comprising: one or more special effects components configured to providespecial effects in response to an occurrence of one or more events thatoccurred in a bowling center; and a management system programmed to:store one or more predefined events and associated special effects in astorage device; upon an occurrence of a detected event, make adetermination that the detected event is one of the predefined events;and when it is determined that the detected event is one of thepredefined events, provide instructions to the one or more specialeffects components to perform at least one of the predefined specialeffects associate with the detected event.
 14. The system of claim 13,further comprising a scoring system configured to provide at least oneof: provide data associated with the bowling game to the managementsystem; and provide an interface for a bowler to define the one or morepredefined events and associated special effects and sending the definedone or more predefined events and associated special effects to themanagement system.
 15. A method, comprising: detecting an event at abowling center; associating the event with special effects; andproviding instructions to one or more special effects components in thebowling center to perform the special effects associated with the event.16. The method of claim 15, wherein the special effects includes atleast one of video projection, multi-colored lighting, laser effects,audio effects, and fog/haze.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein theevent is determined by a scoring system and provided to a managementsystem for providing the instructions.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein the associating of the event with the special effects ispredefined by a user at the scoring system.
 19. The method of claim 17,wherein interaction with the management system is through a handheldmobile device.
 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising a computerprogram product comprising a computer usable storage medium havingreadable program code embodied in the storage medium the computerprogram product includes at least one component operable to perform atleast the associating and the providing steps of claim 15.